Virat Kohli: Jofra Archer can provide England's X-factor at the World Cup

It was a question from a schoolgirl that flummoxed the ten World Cup captains at their press conference on Thursday. When asked which player from another team they would love to have in their side most sat on the fence for fear of upsetting the egos of those already in their squad.

Virat Kohli, ever aware of how his words equate to big headlines back home in India, demurred before pointing at his friend, Faf Du Plessis, sitting a few places away in his role as South Africa captain.

It was a surprise he did not say Jofra Archer having already given his England selection the seal of approval. Kohli was told that this week Archer had singled out his wicket as the one he would most like to take during the World Cup. Kohli has played against Archer in the IPL so is well aware of his threat.

“I take a lot of pride in performing well for the team and making a big impact on each game I play so if Jofra said that it's a big compliment as he himself as a world class bowler,” he said. “And the way he has come through at the IPL over the last couple of years, I have seen him and he's played all round the world and done well so there's a good reason why he's been fast-tracked into playing for England in a tournament like the World Cup.

“I think he's going to be the X-factor because he has all the skill sets and he's very different from anyone else. He can generate a lot of pace which can be intimidating and you don't really expect that from his run up. He's just a great athlete and I'm sure the England team will be delighted to have him and he will be exciting to watch at the World Cup. I personally will be watching his bowling because whatever I've seen of him he is really impressive.”

The World Cup captains press conference was held in an achingly trendy shabby chic venue in Stoke Newington, east London, where the BBC films Dragons’ Den. Children from a local school were invited along and allowed to ask a couple of questions.

Kohli was the centre of attention, sat on the stage between Eoin Morgan and Sarfaraz Ahmed, the captain of Pakistan. Kohli swerved the question about whether India and Pakistan should play each other outside ICC tournaments, and was far happier on cricketing matters, and insisted this tournament will not just be a massive run-scoring orgy.

“They (England) seem to be obsessed with getting to 500 before anyone else. They smash it from ball one and for the full 50 overs.

“It could be pretty high scoring, but 260/270 is going to be as difficult to get as chasing 370, 380 in a World Cup. I don't see too much high scoring in the later half of the tournament. Some teams might get on a roll, but you'll see 250 defended as well as because of the kind of pressure that comes with it. When you get closer to the knockout phases that is going to bring greater pressure and no-one is going to go gung-ho from ball one. Generally teams will find a way but I see pressure playing a massive role.”

England will train at the Rose Bowl on Friday before their first warm-up game against Australia on Saturday. Teams can use all 15 players if they want during the practice games but only 11 can bat.

Australia have provided extra security for David Warner and his wife over concerns about potential abuse they many receive from supporters in England. Aaron Finch, the Australia captain, said Warner and Steve Smith, who will both play against England on Saturday, are adjusting well to being back in the side but know to expect a hostile welcome from crowds.

“Since they’ve come back into the squad and the set-up the last couple of weeks they’ve been fantastic. They’ve contributed as much as they can and the morale has been unbelievable,” said Finch. “Once the World Cup gets underway and you start getting into the tournament, probably the game against England, and then further on the Ashes there’s no doubt the crowd will start to play a bit of a part but that’s expected. No matter where you go the fans play a big part.

“No doubt personally and as an organisation they’ve got things in place for that (security) but how they’ve been in the run-up to the tournament has been fantastic.”